Lubricating device for railways



April 13', 1937- c. STERN 2,077,077

LUBRICATING DEVICE FOR RAIL-WAYS Filed Oct. 51, 19,35 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 .lllllll .llllll h.

v lnventor marks Sli rn/ u WW attorney? J l l l I I April 13, 1937. c. sTElN LUBRICATING DEVICE FORRAILWAYS Filed Obi. 31, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zsiwentor (Ittornegs.

April 13, 1 937. c. STERN 2,077,077

LUBRICATING DEVICE FOR RAILWAYS Filed Oct. 31, 1955- 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 E= w -mfg Zhmentor attorneys.

April 13, 1937. c. STERN 2,077,077

LUBRICATING DEVICE FOR RAILWAYS Filed Oct. 51, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 gui i Patented Apr. 13, 1937 PATENT OFFICE LUBRICATI NG DEVICE FOR RAILWAYS Charles Stern, Jersey City, N. J., assignor to Ardco Manufacturing Company, Hoboken, N. J a corporation of Delaware Application October 31, 1935, Serial No. 47,695

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in lubricating devices for railways, and more particularly refers to a device for lubricating the railway track rails adjacent curves whereby to reduce friction of the flanges of the wheels upon the sides of the rail heads when the cars are rounding curves.

The invention consists in certain improvements in the track applicator which receives the lubricant from a source of supply and directs it upon the side of the rail head, such applicator being novel in the construction which enables it to deliver the lubricant in an elongated thin ribbon or sheet alongside such rail head.

Another object of the invention, so far as the rail applicator is concerned, is the arrangement by I which a lubricant chamber within the applicator body is in alinement with the elongated narrow slot from which the ribbon or sheet of lubricant emerges upon the side of the rail head.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved reservoir for the supply of the lubricant which will retain the body of lubricant under constant pressure and which will enable the restoration of the parts to the initial position ready for refilling with ease and efliciency.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of pumping and lubricant controlling device whereby quantities of the lubricant will be supplied to the applicator in proportion to the amount of trafiic traveling over the road.

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

the invention will be more fully described hereinthe'claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a railway with the improved device shown applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a cross section through the railway withthe improved device shown in elevation.

Figure 3 is a top edge view, with parts broken away of the improved applicator.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same, with parts broken away and parts shown in section.

Figure 5 is an end view of such applicator.

Figure 6 is a cross section taken on the line 6-6 in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a cross section taken on the line 'l1 in Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side View of one of after, and will be more particularly pointed out in.

the rails with the improved pump device shown applied thereto partly in section.

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 9-9 in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a top plan View of the device 5 shown in Figures 8 and 9..

Figure 11 is a front elevation of the lubricating reservoir.

Figure 12 is a horizontal section taken on the line l2|2 of Figure 13.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the reservoir with parts broken away and parts shown in section, and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary side view showing a modified form of the latch.

Referring more particularly to the drawings 15 and i6 represent the rails of a railroad over which rolling stock is adapted to travel on the wheels indicated in dotted lines at H and IS in Figure 2, the wheels having the internal flanges l9 and 20 engaging the inner sides of the rail heads. 7 The outside rail l6 on the curve receives the thrust of the flanges 20 of the wheels I8 thereagainst as the rolling stock moves around the curve so that it is the inside face of the rail head of the outer rail of the curve that requires lubrication.

In Figures 1 and 2, the improved applicator is shown as applied in this position upon the outer rail t6, the applicator being connected with its source of oil or grease supply through the tube or pipe connection 2 I:

The improved applicator is illustrated more particularly in Figures 3 to 7 inclusive. In these figures a body or casting 2| is shown having a lubricant chamber 22 therein. The casting is formed of metal or other suitable material and the chamber may be cored out or otherwise produced. An upwardly extending lip wall 23 rises from the casting along one side wall of the chamber 22 and extends alongside of the rail head It. A removable cover plate or strip 25 is disposed opposite the lip wall 23 and spaced slightly therefrom to produce an elongated continuous channel or mouth open at its upper and adjacent the side of the rail head and communicating below directly with the chamber 22. The mouth 24 is preferably vertically above the chamber. The cover plate 25 is carried by, or has formed thereon, a bead or flange strip 26 seated in a cavity 26' of the casting 2|. The upper surface of the bead 26. is preferably flush with the shelf 21 of the casting, this shelf being cut down from the lip 23 to accommodate the flanges of the car wheels.

The cover plate or outer wall of the lubricant slot 2 1 is preferably of hardened steel so that it will normally maintain its proper position and alinement against collapse inwardly toward the lip wall 23, but which at the same time will withstand any strain or stress of the car wheel flange when passing thereover. The mouth or slot 24 will deliver the lubricant in a thin flat sheet or ribbon against the upper portion of the side of the rail head it, whereby such lubricant is picked up by the flanges 29 of the wheels l8 and carried about onto the curve for the purpose of lubricating the flanges and the rail head.

The body of the applicator is provided with bosses 28 and 29 for fitting up against the web 30 of the rail.

Centrally of the device is an elbow 3i or other inlet connection for the lubricant, which connection is coupled to the supply pipe or tube 2| shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The body or casting 2! of the applicator is secured to the web of the rail by means of extensions Zi at each end of the applicator; such extension being provided with an elongated hole 22 to permit of vertical adjustment and through which the bolts 22 pass. Lugs 31' are parts of the extensions 2 l and are located at each end of the applicator body or casting 2|. The guard plates are provided with elongated holes 34* in registry with the holes 22 of the extensions. Such guard plates are fastened on the extensions by means of screws, bolts or other fastening devices 35. The lugs 31 are threaded to receive screws 38, the head or other ends of which are adapted to engage against the flange 39 of the rail for the purpose of adjusting the vertical height of the device including lip 23 with reference to the tread of the rail and with respect to the flanges 20 of the wheels 58.

Grease is supplied to the applicator through the pipe 2E which pipe connects with a pump device carried near the companion rail l5, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. This pump device is shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10 and comprises generally a body ii] of cast metal or other suitable construction having a lower chamber ll with a port 42 for the discharge of the lubricant into the tube or pipe 2i. A second threaded opening in the lower wall of the device is closed by a threaded plug 43.

This plug 43 is in alinement with a valve assembly and by removing the plug 43 the valve stem 64 and the valve may be pushed up into the place occupied by these parts, as shown in Figure l i 8. The valve i5 is normally urged'upwardly by a coil spring 13 into a closed position against the valve seat ll surrounding a port 48, which port is made in the diaphragm or septum 48 extending horizontally across the body or casing 38. Above this septum is a chamber supplied with lubricant by a tube or pipe 56 entering a port 5| of the casing id. The valve stem 44 is carried by a plunger 52 which plunger reciprocates in a cylinder 53 formed in the upper portion of the casing ill above the port 48. The coil spring &5 takes against the valve l5 at its upper end and at its lower end engages the plug 43. The plunger 52 carries a hollow threaded stem 5d supporting a threaded button 56. By rotating the button 56 its threaded shank 56 will traverse the threads in the socket of the hollow stem 54, thus adjusting the button 55 as to its height with respect to the car wheel ll. The height of the plunger will control the throw or extent of the vertical motion of the plunger 52 and of the valve and the amount the port 48 is opened. A key or set screw 51 may be used to secure the button 56 against rotation after adjustment. The casing 46 is carried by a plate 59 secured by bolts or other fastening means E0 to the web of the rail Hi.

This pump device receives its supply of lubricant through the pipe 59 from a reservoir shown more particularly in Figures 11, 12 and 13. The reservoir includes a container 6| open at its bottom to slide down over a fixed plunger 62 having a packing cup 6-3 secured thereto and extending along the wall of the container 6|.

At its upper end the container is closed by a removable cover 64 to admit of the introduction of the lubricant into the container body.

The plunger 82 is stationary, being carried by a support 65 upstanding from a base or pedestal 66. The plunger is preferably concave to an opening 67 to which is connected the pipe or conduit 50.

Projecting from the sides of the movable container 6| are the ledges 68 on which move the rollers 69 carried by the arms 10. The arms 10 have bearings ll afllxed to a shaft i2 journaled in the bearings 73, which latter bearings are supported from the pedestal 66. One of the arms '10 is provided with a socket T4 for a rod or handle l5. This handle gives leverage for raising the arms 1i] and the container 6!. One of the arms '56 is formed with a segment 15 against which the beveled nose '55 on the cross bar ll of a latch device is adapted to engage. The cross bar 11 is carried upon arms 18 which straddle the rear lower end portion of the segment when the latter is in the rear position shown in Figure 13. The arms 78 form a bell-crank with the treadle or foot piece 79. The bell-crank is pivoted or fulcrumed on the pedestal as indicated at 8?).

A modification of this latch device is illustrated in Figure 14 where the segment l5 is shown as carrying a trailing latch or dog 8i pivoted at 82 on the segment and having its beveled or rounded nose 83 wiping along the upper surface of the pedestal 66 which is provided with one or more locking projections 89 having abrupt shoulders and rounded backs.

The reservoir or tank 6| will tend to descend by gravity of its own weight but preferably one or more weighted rings 85 are placed over the tank, resting on lugs 86. In the use of the device, the reservoir, when elevated to substantially the position shown in Figure 13, is filled with lubricant or grease and the cover fi l restored. The weights 85 will tend to bear the tank 6! downwards, thus forcing out the grease through the pipe to the pump device. Thus the grease or lubricant in the reservoir 8| is maintained under a constant pressure which is tending to force the grease out of the reservoir and into the pumping device.

When the reservoir BI is exhausted, that is when it has reached the lower limit of its downward movement, as illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 13, then the cover 64 is removed to break any possible vacuum that might form in the reservoir as the container 6| was elevated. Thereupon a rod 15 is introduced into the socket l4 and with the leverage thus gained, the arms 10 are swung up about the shaft 72 thus causing the rollers 69 to lift the container 6|. In exeouting this movement the locking device or latch shown in Figure 13 will by reason of its weight follow the rear edge of the segment I5 until, when the container is fully elevated, the arms 18 of the latch will lie substantially horizontally on the pedestal and the nose 16 will engage against the rear edge of such segment. Thus the tank 6| will be held elevated without the use of the operators hands which may be left free to refill the reservoir. By use of the foot-piece 19 the latch may be lifted after the reservoir is filled and the cover 64 restored.

In accordance with Figure 14, the latch 8| will be trailed along as the segment is rotated until it 10 arrives at substantially thedotted line position when the tank 6| is fully elevated. The latch may be kicked out Whenever the operation of the device is to be resumed.

The pressure of the lubricant entering the pumping device will raise the plunger 52 and close the valve 45. In this action it will be aided by the coil spring 46. When a wheel I! of a car passes over the rail l5, the tread of the wheel, which is wide enough to extend upon the outside of the rail head, will encounter the button 56, depressing the same to the position shown in Figure 9, it being understood that ordinarily the grease pressure and the spring 46, or either of them, will maintain the button 56 in the position shown in Figure 8 where the same is raised above the plane of the rail tread.

As'the wheel passes over the rail and over the button 56 it causes the button 56 and the plunger 52 to be depressed, thus ejecting a charge of 0 grease through the port 48 and valve 45 which has been opened by this action. The grease thereupon flows out of the lower chamber 4|, through the pipe connection 2| and to the applicator.

When the wheel has passed over the button 56 the spring 46 and the lubricant pressure will tend to restore the parts upwardly and close the valve 45. This valve 45 keeps the reservoir pressure from constantly forcing the lubricant out through the slot in the applicator.

40 The lubricant, from the pipe 2| enters the body chamber 22, which chamber may be molded within the body 2| or otherwiseproduced therein. The grease has. open and immediate access from the chamber 22 to the slot 24. By adjusting the 4.5 screws 38 this grease may be applied to any elevation upon the rail head.

The device produces a continuous sheet or ribbon of grease applicable to all parts of a designated lineal section of rail and to continuous and 5 uninterrupted portions of the wheel flange passing along such rail head, the application of the lubricant being thus surer and the efilciency of the device accordingly increased.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lip, composed 55 of the inner and outer walls 23 and 25 may be adjusted vertically so that the open upper delivery mouth thereof is disposed at a height slightly above the lowermost point of the wheel flange 20. The lip may also be adjusted to be even with or lower than the lowermost point of the wheel flange 20.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:-

1. An applicator for track lubricators, comprising a body portion adapted to fit against the side of a rail and provided with a longitudinal chamber therein for the reception of lubricant under pressure, said body portion having one wall of said chamber extending upwardly and provided with a lip constituting a continuation of said wall adapted to lie against the head of the rail, and a plate member detachably seated in the upper side of the body portion spaced from said wall and projection to provide therewith a slot extending along the side of the rail.

2. An applicator for track lubricators comprising a body portion having a lubricant receiving chamber extending lengthwise therein and provided with an upstanding lip adapted to lie against the side of a rail head, said lip and chamber having a continuous vertical wall for feeding the lubricant upwardly from the chamber to the lip, a wear plate fitted upon the upper part of the body portion in spaced relation to the lip to provide therewith a slot for the passage of lubricant, and a rib carried upon the lower edge portion of the wear plate removably seated in the upper face of the body portion to hold the lip thereto.

3. An applicator for track lubricators comprising a body portion, means for securing the body portion against the side of a rail, said body portion havinga chamber therein for receiving lubricant under pressure and provided with an upstanding longitudinal lip extending from the outer wall of said chamber and. adapted to lie against the side of a rail head, a wear plate having a bead upon its lower edge removably seated in the top of the body portion to hold the wear plate thereto and in spaced relation to the lip above said chamber, whereby lubricant under pressure may pass directly into the space above the chamber between the lip and the wear plate.

CHARLES STERN. 

